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Actions Displays	Details Remove from selection Add to selection CollectionSouth & Southeast Asian Collection Object numberS1999-0006-001-0 TitleWaiting for Godot (Red) CreatorSulaiman Haji Esa DescriptionIn employing the techniqueof photo-etching, Sulaiman Esa experimented directly on the plate, setting off a chemical process allowing parts of the metal surface to be eaten away by acid. The title of the works is appropriated from Irish dramatist Sameul Beckett's internationally famous 1952 play titled Waiting for Godot. Sulaiman Esa has adopted this interpretation of Godot as a symbolic representation of God as his starting position in this work. Ornate traditional Islamic architectural elements have been extrapolated and juxtaposed to a reclining nude from western art history. The incongruity highlights the tension-ridden confrontation between traditional Islamic and western culture whilst reminding viewers the similar visions and aspirations of both religions.This is a series of photoetchings tackling the issue of two different cultures - Islamic and Western. The print is divided into an upper large segment occupying two-thirds of the picture space and a smaller one below. The upper segment contains an ornate circular design sourced from traditional Islamic architecture. It symbolizes Islamic culture while the reclining nude below represents western culture. The dicnotomy between the two cultures is thus highlighted, The title "Waiting for Godot" was taken from a play by Samuel Beckett. Sulaiman Esa is a prominent Malaysian modern painter and printmaker. He was trained in U.K. and his early interest was in colour-field painting. In the early 1970s he switched over to Conceptual Art and co-authored with art critic, Redza Piyadasa to produce a manifesto, TOWARDS A MYSTICAL Reality which was presented at an exhibition in Malaysia.“These were produces as part of a suite of pictures during a phase of acute crisis in this artist’s art practice and life. They are designated with the title ‘Waiting for Godot’ (after a play of that name by Samuel Becket). In it, two motifs from two cultures that are often cast as diametrically opposed to one another (Europe/West and Islam) are juxtaposed. A female nude sprawls in apparent abandon in the lower section, while the upper section features intricate designs, characterizing Islamic mosque architecture. They are presented as separate and separated domains, without prospects of connecting.” (Past, Present , Beyond: Re-nascence of an Art Collection, Page 66) Production placeMalaysia Production date 1977 - 1977 Object categoryPainting MaterialPhotoetching on Paper TechniquePrintmaking Dimensions H: 50 cm L: 38.5 cm H: 77 cm L: 64 cm

CollectionSouth & Southeast Asian Collection

Object numberS1999-0006-001-0

TitleWaiting for Godot (Red)

DescriptionIn employing the techniqueof photo-etching, Sulaiman Esa experimented directly on the plate, setting off a chemical process allowing parts of the metal surface to be eaten away by acid. The title of the works is appropriated from Irish dramatist Sameul Beckett's internationally famous 1952 play titled Waiting for Godot. Sulaiman Esa has adopted this interpretation of Godot as a symbolic representation of God as his starting position in this work. Ornate traditional Islamic architectural elements have been extrapolated and juxtaposed to a reclining nude from western art history. The incongruity highlights the tension-ridden confrontation between traditional Islamic and western culture whilst reminding viewers the similar visions and aspirations of both religions.This is a series of photoetchings tackling the issue of two different cultures - Islamic and Western. The print is divided into an upper large segment occupying two-thirds of the picture space and a smaller one below. The upper segment contains an ornate circular design sourced from traditional Islamic architecture. It symbolizes Islamic culture while the reclining nude below represents western culture. The dicnotomy between the two cultures is thus highlighted, The title "Waiting for Godot" was taken from a play by Samuel Beckett. Sulaiman Esa is a prominent Malaysian modern painter and printmaker. He was trained in U.K. and his early interest was in colour-field painting. In the early 1970s he switched over to Conceptual Art and co-authored with art critic, Redza Piyadasa to produce a manifesto, TOWARDS A MYSTICAL Reality which was presented at an exhibition in Malaysia.“These were produces as part of a suite of pictures during a phase of acute crisis in this artist’s art practice and life. They are designated with the title ‘Waiting for Godot’ (after a play of that name by Samuel Becket). In it, two motifs from two cultures that are often cast as diametrically opposed to one another (Europe/West and Islam) are juxtaposed. A female nude sprawls in apparent abandon in the lower section, while the upper section features intricate designs, characterizing Islamic mosque architecture. They are presented as separate and separated domains, without prospects of connecting.” (Past, Present , Beyond: Re-nascence of an Art Collection, Page 66)

Production placeMalaysia

Production date 1977 - 1977

Object categoryPainting

MaterialPhotoetching on Paper

TechniquePrintmaking

Dimensions

H: 50 cm
L: 38.5 cm
H: 77 cm
L: 64 cm

Details